Dear parents and carers,

Welcome to Term 3, I trust that everyone enjoyed time with their families during the break!

Already this week the children have settled well, into the new term.

As you will have seen and heard, the pandemic continues to be a challenge for all.  As I write, we are continuing to plan for regular face to face teaching this term.  Should there be any changes to this regular routine of school, information will be forwarded on to you as soon as possible.

We are currently planning our Open Day for Friday August 21.  This will be a chance for you to visit your children at school and see what is happening in their classrooms.  It is my hope that we will not need to postpone the day, however, we will be guided by the health advice that is current at that time.

Staff professional Learning – on Monday we joined with schools from across the Western Region to work with Fr Richard Leonard for this year’s spirituality day.  It was an interesting and thought-provoking day with staff being asked to consider the role of the media in contemporary Australian Society.  Did you know that the greatest amount of internet traffic is recorded between 10pm and 1am?

Compass – our new roll marking system was turned on yesterday. As such, it is quite important that all late arrivals report to the office so that school attendance can be marked accurately.  For some of our families, this is a routine that you already observe, and thank you for choosing to do so.  Please make it your custom to check in at the office if your children are running late to school – we appreciate your efforts to do this.

We know that there are some days when people are running late, we ask that you simply check in at the office to let us know that your children have arrived safely to school.

School Photos – our school photos will be taken on Monday August 3.  Thank you to those families who have already returned their order forms.  Please return any further forms as soon as possible.  Be aware that the children should be in their winter uniform for this year’s school photos.

School Counsellor – our next school counsellor visit is set down for Monday August 3, when our new counsellor begins working with us.  We look forward to welcoming Rebecca to Grenfell then.

Hennessy Catholic College – please be aware that the orientation day set down for this term has been postponed due to the continuing challenges of covid-19.  It is hoped that the orientation day can be rescheduled for later this year.

NCCD – Nationally Consistent Collection of Data, included in this newsletter is a letter relating to the NCCD.  The statistical data for this collection is created at the time of our August Census, which is coming up in a few weeks’ time.

Changes to routine - Thank you to those families who are keeping us informed when children are absent from school, or there are changes to the regular routine.  Be aware that we are required to keep the rolls up to date and that thorough explanation for absences enable us to do so.

Mufti Day - Please be aware that our first Mufti Day in Term 3 is set down for Friday July 31 – our theme for the day will be superheroes, so start thinking about which superhero that you’d like to come along as…and remember to bring along your gold coin donation.

We will also be participating in Jeans for Genes Day on Friday August 7.  Children wear their regular winter uniform on top and may wear jeans on the bottom.  For those participating, bring a gold coin donation on the day.

The update of our behaviour plan is continuing this term.

In terms of our behaviour management, we are focusing on how we choose to playing fair – including taking turns and making turns and playing by the rules.  This involves being a good sport and making a choice to keep a game moving along, rather than disputing all decisions.  This also involves ensuring that everyone is included and that we all get to have a turn, sometimes the smallest invitation to join a game can mean so very much to someone.

A big challenge related to this is caring for our equipment and knowing where equipment is and how to use it appropriately, remembering to return it so that someone else can find and use it…

Kinder 2021 – many families are already beginning to plan for 2021. 

If you know of a family who would like more information about St Joseph’s, please invite them to contact us at school.

Book Club – flyers were sent home this week, please finalise your orders by Friday, 7 August 2020.

Congratulations to Somara, Anthony, Baxter Amelia, Marco and Orlando on the arrival of Levi during the school holidays.

Take care and stay safe,

Our vegie gardens have really started to bush up during the holiday break.  We have radishes that are almost ready to try, lettuce that tastes great and purple and orange carrots coming along well.

The daffodils are also coming along well.

I wonder what we might be able to cook in the coming weeks with this produce.